Tape applying machine



7 Aug. 28, 1945. .1. FossA TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 28, 1945. FOSS A 2,383,539

TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Au gzs, 1945. J. FOSSA 2,383,539

TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 227 I I //v VE/V 0% Aug. 28, 1945. J FQSSA 2,383,539

TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 2a, 1945. J FOSSA 2,383,539

TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 28, 1945. oss 2,383,539

TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Aug. 28, 1945 TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Joseph Fossa, Lynn, Masa, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation,

Flemington,

N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application May 22, 1943, Serial No. 488,036

42 Claims.

- improved mechanism for applying adhesive to a piece of uncoated tape of a predetermined length and for severing the coated length of tape and pressing it into engagement with a work piece. As illustrated herein, tape feeding mechanism is provided which operates in timed relation with the aforesaid mechanism to feed a fresh uncoated length of tape into a position to receive an application of adhesive as the previously coated and severed piece of tape is pressed into engagement with the work piece. Hence, when the machine comes to a stop after one cycle of operations a fresh length of tape occupies a position in readiness for the next cycle of operations. The tape feeding mechanism is automatically controlled to advance a length of tape which will fit into a given space on the work piece by gages relatively movable to occupy positions at the opposite extremities of the given space on the work piece. As disclosed, the relative movement of the gages is also operable to retract or advance the length of tape previously advanced into a position in readiness for the next operation of the machine independently of the feeding mechanism, so that if the next piece of work requires a different length of tape, the previously advanced piece may be adjusted to lit the work piece.

The tape feeding mechanism advances the tape across and above an adhesive applicator and the latter is moved into engagement with the bottom face of the tape to apply adhesive thereto. There is a tendency for the tape to droop, by reason of its projected length, and, hence, for the leading end to contact the applicator prior to movement of the applicator into applying position, thereby picking up undesirable adhesive. To prevent this drooping and to support the tape in the best possible position to be picked up by the means for moving the tape into engagement with the work piece, the invention provides, as a further feature, a support running lengthwise of the receptacle and adapted to support the underside of the tape along its center line. The invention also provides means for engaging the upper side of the tape during the application of adhesive to the underside thereof to prevent any twisting of the tape and to hold it against the upward pressure of the applicator.

The means for moving the tape into engagement with the work piece is movable from a position above the adhesive applicator, at which position it is adapted to grip the coated severed tape. to a position above a work support and to press the coated tape into engagement with the work piece on the support. As illustrated herein, the aforesaid means actuates the tape severing means to cut off the coated tape and moves the means which engages the upper side of the tape to an out-of-the-way position as it approaches the position at which the tape receives the adhesive.

The above and other features of the invention, including novel means for supporting a package of adhesive in the supply receptacle, and

. various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims.

go In the drawings,

ing means:

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the tape feeding and measuring means removed from the machine to illustrate more clearly the interrelation of the Da Fig. 5 is a section on the line V-V of Fig. 4, showing the details of one of the gages and its suppo t:

Fig. 6' is a section on the line VI-VI of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a section on the line VIP-VII of Fig. 2; 1Fig. 8 is a section on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 9 is a section on the line IX-IX of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the tape transferring means and work support;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the presser bar and tape engaging members of the tape transferring means; and

Fig. 12 is a section on the line IflI-XII of Fig. 2.

Referring to ,Figs. 1, 7 and 10, a pair of forwardly inclined posts It and I2 rise from a base It to which their lower ends are fixed in any convenient manner. Fixed to these posts near their upper ends are a pair of horizontally disposed forwardly extending arms l6 and I8, and on the top ends of the arms there is set into niches 20 and 22 a horizontal flat plate 24, this latter being fastened to the arms by screws 26. The plate 24 constitutes a work support upon which the shoe part to which a length of tape is to be applied may be placed in a positionto receive the tape. The shoe part W illustrated herein (Fig. 10) is a vamp, and it is to the eyelet row of the vamp that the reinforcing tape is to be applied. The work is located upon the support, in a position to receive the proper length of tape, by gages 28, 30 and 32 the construction and operation of which will be described hereinafter.

Behind the work support (Fig. 6) there is means for applying adhesive to the tape prior to its application to the work. As illustrated herein, this comprises an open top receptacle 34 over the top of which is advanced a length of uncoated tape it by tape feeding means 36 (Figs. 4 and 7), to be hereinafter described, and an applicator 38 reciprocable from a position in the receptacle, where it is submerged in liquid adhesive, to a position in which it will apply adhesive to the underside of the tape.

The receptacle 34 rests on and is attached to the base I4 and has two chambers 40 and 42 therein separated from one another by a wall 44 (Figs. 2 and 6) running longitudinally of the receptacle. Slots 46 formed in the wall connect the two chambers. The applicator 38 consists of a thin plate 48 (Fig. 12) set on edge and movable into and out of the receptacle edgewise, the upper edge 50 of the plate being adapted to lift with it a quantity of liquid adhesive and to apply a strip of adhesive to the bottom face of the tape. It is to be observed that the shape of the upper edge of the plate may be varied to apply the adhesive in whatever pattern is most suitable. For example, it may be zigzag or wavy so that it will pass back and forth acros the tape between the eyelets which will subsequently be attached along the eyelet row. The plate 48 is attached at its lower edge in an upright position to spaced horizontal legs 52 formed at the lower end of a bracket 54 which has an upper horizontal leg 56 by which it is attached to an arm 58 for producing reciprocation of the applicator. The arm 58 extends rearwardly of the receptacle 34, as seen in Fig. 6, and is freely mounted on a countershaft 60, the latter being journaled in bearings 82 formed in spaced posts 84 (Figs. 2 and '7) fixed to and rising vertically from the base at the back of the machine. The countershaft 60 is driven from a main drive shaft 86 by way of a pair of gears 88 and 10 (Fig. 2). The main shaft 86 is driven by a pulley I2, mounted for free rotation on its outer end, and a belt I4. A onerevolution clutch I8 is provided for connecting the shaft to the pulley, the clutch being actuated by a rod I1 extending downwardly below the base to some convenient position on the floor, where it may be treadle operated. At the left end of the countershaft 60 there is fixed a disk "I8 (Fig. 2). A threaded rod 80 (Fig. '7 is pivotally fas tened at one end to the disk at 82 near the rim.

- The opposite end of the rod 80 runs forwardly and is telescopically received by a sleeve 84 having a slot 86 therein adapted to receive a pin 88 fixed near this end of the rod. A spring 8I disposed on the rod between the end of the sleeve 84 and a nut 19 threaded on the rod provides for a yieldable driving connection. The sleeve 84 is pivotally fastened near the rim to a large gear 80, the latter being mounted for free oscillation upon a stub shaft 92. The stub shaft 82 is fixed in a vertical wall 94 (Fig. 2) rising from the base I4, a bearing 98 formed integral with the wall being provided for supporting the shaft in a horizontal position. A small gear 98 is arranged to mesh with the large gear 90 and is fixed to a shaft I in a bearing I02 formed in the wall 84. The shaft I00 extends to the right transversely of the machine, as seen in Fig. 2, and terminate near the arm 58. On one end of the shaft I00 there is fixed a cam I04 (Fig. 6). From the underside of the arm 58 there projects downwardly a leg I08 and between the lower end of the leg and the cam I04 there is fastened a tension spring I08. The rotation of the countershaft 80, it will be observed from the preceding, produces an oscillation of the large gear 90, which, in turn, oscillates the small gear 88 and the shaft I00. The cam I04 is consequently oscillated, and, as a result, the arm 58, through the spring I08, is swung up and down. The spring connection protects the operating parts from being damaged if the machine is accidentally started before the adhesive in the receptacle has been warmed up enough to release the applicator, which, when the machine is not in operation, rests at the bottom of the receptacle. Near the rear of the cam I04 a rod IIO projects upwardly from the base and passes through a hole I I2 in the arm 58. The top end of the rod is threaded and a nut H4 is adjustably mounted thereon, thereby providing means for limiting the upward movement of the arm 58 which, because of its spring connection to the cam, might reciprocate too violently. The bracket 54 is removably fastened to the arm 58 by a bolt-and-nut connection H6, the bolt passing through a slot 8' formed in the end of the arm 58. The bracket 54, as it moves into and out of the receptacle, carries with it some adhesive which may build up after a time to a point where it will interfere with the free movement of the vertical leg of the bracket between the wall 44 and the next adjacent plate I20. Accordingly, a scraper I I5 which comprises a horizontal bar which is attached at one end to the right-hand end of the receptacle, as seen in Fig. 12, and' is tipped at an angle, as seen in Fig. 6, is provided to strip the adhesive from the bracket a it rises out of the receptacle, causing the adhesive to run back into the receptacle.

The adhesive employed in this machine Is a thermoplastic which at ordinary temperatures is solid and, therefore, heat must be supplied to the container to keep the adhesive in a liquid state. To this end, resistance elements I I8 (Figs. 6 an 12) are inserted in openings in the bottom of the container. In order to conduct the heat uniformly to the adhesive in the container and to speed up the liquefication of the adhesive after it has been allowed to solidify, a plurality of thin vertical plates I20 are formed integral with the bottom of the container and rise thereinto a point near the top. As shown, two plates are located on either side of the applicator plate 48. These plates are slotted at I2I (Figs. 6 and 12) to provide for a free flow of adhesive throughout the container. The two rear plates I20 are provided with additional slots 53 (Fig. 12) to accommodate the spaced horizontal leg 52 and to permit them to move vertically as the applicator is moved into and out of the receptacle. The chamber 42 is provided to maintain th level of the liquid adhesive about constant in the chamber 40 and to minimize any substantial drop in the level during periods when additional adhesive is being supplied by mechanism now to be described.

In the chamber 42 (Fig. 8) there is pivotally supported on a bracket I22 a float I24. The bracket I22 is adjustably fastened by screws I26 to a section of the wall of the receptacle 84 which extends upwardly at I28 and has on its upper extremity a horizontal shelf I30. The vertical adjustment of the bracket provides means for ad- Justing the height of the float I24, and consequently the level of the adhesive in the chamber 42, as will appear, Resting on the shelf I30 and secured thereto is a microswitch I32 the tripping element I34 of which is connected by a rod I38 to the float I24 at I38. Hence, a very slight change in the level of the float will actuate the microswitch. The microswitch is arranged to cause energization of a solenoid I40, for a purpose which will appear shortly. The chamber 42 is furnished with liquid adhesive from a supply drum I42 the bottom of which is threaded on the top 'end of a post I44 which, in turn, is threaded into a circular base I46 resting on the base I4 at one side of the machine and for this reason may be removed from the machine for cleaning without affecting any of the operating parts thereof. At one side of the drum I42 (Fig. 8) there is formed integral therewith a thickened wall I48 through which there is formed a horizontal passage I50 opening into the drum near the bottom thereof and a vertical passage I52 intersecting the horizontal passage. From the thickened portion of the wall here projects downwardly below the bottom of the drum a nipple I49 through which the passage I52 extends, the nipple being adapted to project into the top of the chamber 42 (Fig. 8), thus permitting adhesive to flow from the drum through th passages I50 and I52 to the chamber 42. In the passage I52 above the intersection of the passage I50 therewith there is a valve I54 adapted to slide up and down in thepassage and to close the passage I50. The stem of the valve I54 is inserted in a helical spring I56 the other end of which is connected to the plunger of the solenoid I40. Hence, when the float I24 calls for more adhesive, the solenoid is actuated by the microswitch to withdraw the valve and permit adhesive to flow through the passage I50. The spring connection I56 allows the solenoid to respond to energization, even though the valve I54 is frozen in place by hardening of the adhesive, and so eliminates any danger of damage to the solenoid. The solenoid is supported, as illustrated in Fig. 8, by a bracket I55 screwed to the wall I48.

The adhesive is a commercial product and is usually poured while liquid into a can or carton for vending, the top of the can or carton being readily removable. It is difficult, however, to chip or break the material out of the container without loss of the adhesive and loss of time and, accordingly, the present machine is equipped with a convenient arrangement for removing the adhesive by melting it and allowing it to drain directly from the can or carton into the drum solid adhesive which drains from the can or car ton to the bottom of the drum.

The tape which is to b applied to the work on the work support is pulled from a tape reel (not shown) by the tape feeding means 36 and measuring means, generally indicated at I08 (Fig. 4),

and is advanced in a horizontal position above the adhesive receptacle for an application of adhesive. The tape feeding means 38 comprises a pair of co-operable knurled rolls I10 and I12 mounted on parallel shafts I14 and I15 which are rotated in opposite directions by meshing gears I18 and I (Fig. 7). The shafts I14 and I16 are mounted for rotation in bearings formed in vertical posts I82 and I84 at the front and rear of the machine. The shaft I16 has fixed to it a bevel gear I88 which meshes with a bevel gear I88 fixed to the countershaft 50. The length of the tape advanced by the feed rolls is controlled by separating one of the feed rolls from the other after they have been rotated in contact with each other for a given length of time. To this end, the rear bearing block of the upper shaft H4 is formed in a yoke I80 rockably fastened to the top of the post I84. The front bearing block is movable vertically in an open slot I92 formed at the top of the post I82 and is yieldably urged toward the lower shaft by a spring I94 held between the bearing block and an overlying projection I33 (Figs. 1 and 7) by a screw I98. Hence, the shaft I14 may be tilted upwardly from the shaft I16. This is accomplished in a manner to measure the length of tape advanced by the feed rolls by mounting on the shaft I16 a cam sleeve 200 having a portion of its cylindrical surface slabbed off at an angle with its axis of rotation at 202. On the shaft I14 there is mounted a cam follower 204 which rides on the surface of the cam 200. The cam follower is movable longitudinally of the cam sleeve 200 and while it rolls on the cylindrical surface of the cam sleeve the feed rolls are held separated so that no feeding takes place. As soon as the cam follower is moved to the left, as seen in Fig. 4, to a position in which it will cross the slabbed-off portion of the sleeve the rolls will come together for a length of time which will depend upon the distance between the opposite edges 208 and 208 of the slabbed-ofl portion. It is to be observed, therefore, that by moving the follower 204 to the left, the length of time of feeding is increased, thereby causing the rolls to advance a long piece of tape, whereas if the follower is moved to the right, the length of feeding is decreased and the rolls will feed a short length of tape. The sleeve 200 is mounted for free rotation on the shaft I18 and derives its rotation from the shaft I14 by way of a pair of meshing gears 20I and 203, the former being fixed to the shaft I14 and the latter being formed integral with the sleeve.

The tape feeding means and measuring means are connected with the gages 30 and 32 on the work support in such a manner that by moving one of the gages with respect to the other along the support to any desired position the feeding means may be adjusted to advance a length of tape commensurate with the distance between the gages. Thus, by placing a pieceof work with one of the curved ends of its eyelet row in engagement with the gage 30 (Fig. 10) and its rear edge in engagement with the gages 28 and by moving the gage 32 longitudinally of the support so that it butts the opposite end of the eyelet row, the feedingmeans may be adjusted to advance a length of tape of the right length to fit into the space between the curved ends ofv the eyelet row. To this end, the gage 32 is mounted for movement lengthwise of the support 24 in a slot 205. The gage 32 is moved manually by means of a. knee-operated shifting device comprising a pair of knee engaging member 201 (Fig. 4) adjustably fastened by screws 2i6 to a slotted bar 2i2 which, in turn, is bolted to a bar 2 which projects upwardly beneath the support. The upper end of the bar 2 has a forwardly projecting horizontal portion 2l6 in which there is a slot 2I6. A pin 2l6 projects freely through the slot 2|6 and has at its upper end a head 220. Through the head 226 there is formed a hole for the passage of a horizontal rod 222, the head 226 being fixed to the rod by a setscrew. The rod 222 is slidably mounted for horizontal movement in the arms l6 and I6 (Fig, 4). n the rod 222 and fixed thereto at the right of the head 226 (Fig. 2) is a block 224 which has depending from it a plate 226 (Fig. 5). The plate 226 has vertical slots 221 in it and slidably secured to the plate by crews 223 passing through the slots is the shank portion 230 of the gage 32. Thus, by movement of the knee engaging members 201, the gage 32 may be moved along the slot 205. A collar fastened to the rod 222 limits the lateral movement thereof to the right, as seen in Figs. 1 and 4. Fastened to the bars H2 and 2 there is an angle piece 232 which extends rearwardly and is fixed to the lower end of a spindle 234 which passes upwardly through and is pivoted in the base l4 and has secured to its upper end a lever 236. The lever 236 extends to the left, as seen in Fig. 2, and upwardly, as seen in Fig. 4, and at its terminal end has a knob 238 arranged to engage a peripheral groove 240 formed on the cam follower 264. Hence, the follower is shifted simultaneously with the gage 3 2 as the latter is moved along the support to cause the feeding means to advance a length of tape corresponding to the distance between the gages. The gage 32 is yieldably held in its operative position and by the application of pressure to its upper end will descend below the support to an out-ofthe-way position. As shown in Fig. 5, the gage 32 is held in its up position by a spring 242 fastened at one end to the lower end of the shank portion 230 of the gage and at its other end to the plate 226. A latch 244 (Fig. l) is fastened to the shank 230 and by catching the latch below the end of the plate 226 the gage may be held in an out-of-the-way position. A finger trip arm 245 provides means for releasing the gage. The gage 36 is mounted in a slot 246 to permit a small amount of lateral movement, for a purpose which will appear h'ereinafter, .upon a downwardly projecting plate 246 (Fig. 6), the latter being adjustably fastened to the underside of the support. The g e 60 is slidably fastened to the plate 243 by screws 249 and is urged upwardly, so that it normally occupies a positon above the support, by a spring 250. A latch 256 mounted on the shank 260 of the gage provides means for holding the gage in its withdrawn position, as seen in Fig. l. The gages 23 at the rear of the support serve to aline the rear edge of the work with tape transferring means 26l (Fig. 10), to be hereinafter described, so that when the tape is applied to the work the edge of the tape and the edge of the work will be parallel. These gages lie behind the area of the work to which the tape is applied and therefore do not interfere with the tape transferring means. Hence, these gages are adjustably fixed to the top of the support. as seen in Figs. 2 and 4. The left-hand gage 26 has a corresponding slotted foot 266 through which screws 266 are passed to ill: it in place. By adjustment of the gages 26 transversely and longitudinally of the work support the rear edge of the work may be located at the proper position to insure the application of the tape centrally of the work for nearly every type of work which will be encountered.

As described, to apply a length of tape to a piece of work of certain dimensions, the work is placed on the work support 24 with its rear edge against the gages 26 and one end against the gage 66, and then the gage 62 is moved by the knee engaging members 261 into engagement with the opposite end of the work, whereupon the feeding means is automatically set to advance a length of tape corresponding to the length of the work between the gages 30 and 32. As constructed, the machine goes through one cycle of operations, which starts with the application of adhesive to an uncoated length of tape previously advanced into a position above the applicator and is followed by severing the tape, picking up the severed coated tape, and moving it into engagement with the work on the work support. During the movement of the severed coated tape from the position at which it receives the adhesive to the work support, the tape feeding means advances a fresh uncoated length of tape so that when the machine comes to rest an uncoated length of tape occupies a position in readiness for the next cycle of operations. However, this length of tape which projects from between the feed rolls is the same length as the piece just applied and it may be desirable to app y tape to a shorter or a longer piece of work To cut off this projecting piece would constitute waste. To avoid this loss of tape. means is associated with the movable gage 62 to retract or to advance the projecting piece of tape independently of the tape feeding means so that if the next piece of work requires a different length of tape the previously advanced piece may be adjusted to fit the work piece. This means, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 4, includes a tape guide 216 adapted to engage frictionally the opposite edges of a substantial length of the tape adjacent to the entrance side of the feed rolls. The guide comprises a fixed piece 212 mounted on a plate 214 and a movable piece 216 fixed to a plunger 213 which is spring pressed toward the piece 212, the spring (not shown) occupylnl a recess behind the plunger in a block 266. The block 266 is fastened by screws 2 to the plate 214. The plate 214, and consequently the block 266, is adjustably mounted by a slot-and-screw connection 282 upon an arm 264. Adjustment of the guide 210 transversely of the tape permits alinement of the pieces 212 and 216 with the tape. The arm 264 is fastened to the rod 222; consequently, when the gage 62 is moved to the right or to the left, the guide is moved 9. correspond ing amount. Since the members 212 and 216 are comparatively long, they do not bind the tape and no difficulty is experienced in pulling the tape through the guide when the feed rolls are in operative engagement. When the feed rolls are not in engagement with the tape, however, the frictional engagement of the guide with the tape is suflloient to advance it or to retract it. It is to be observed (Fig. 2) that the large gear 66 lies between the inner end of the guide 216 and the feed rolls. To permit unobstructed movement of the guide toward the right, and'also free passage of the tape, an arcuate slot 6| (Fig. '1) is formed in the gear 88 through which the tape and guide pass. This is possible by reason of the fact that the gear 88 does not turn through a complete revolution, but simply oscillates.

The tape is advanced by the feed rolls to a position above the adhesive receptacle for the succeeding operation, as heretofore pointed out, and, if the machine is idle for some time or the tape is damp, there is a tendency for the free end of the tape to droop and also for it to twist about its longitudinal axis. Such behaviour results in poor application of the adhesive to the tape.

Moreover, if the tape does not lie in a horizontal plane, it is difficult to pick it up and to transfer it to the work. Accordingly, a bar 286 (Figs. 6, and 12) is attached to the adhesive container in a horizontal position running lengthwise thereof and in the plane of the cutting edges of tape severing means 281 (Fig. 3), which will be described hereinafter. Hence, as the tape is advanced it is supported on its underside by the bar 286. To prevent twisting, holddown means is provided for engaging the top of the tape and holding it in engagement with the bar 286. Since the tape transferring means 26l picks up the tape at this position, the holddown means must be retractable. As shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 9, the holddown means comprises a toothed plate 288, the toothed portion being adapted, when it is in operative position, to overlie the tape. The plate 288 is slidably fastened by screws 288 (Fig. 9) to an arm 282 which extends rearwardly of the machine and is freely pivoted on the countershaft 68 so that its forward end may be lifted. Formed integral with the arm 282 and joined by a cross-piece 283 extending to the left thereof is a short arm 234 (Fig. 2) which is bent upwardly and engages the peripheral surface of the cam I84 (Fig. 9) used for lifting the applicator arm 58 (Fig. 6). The contour of the cam and the timing is such that the cam, through the arm 284, will lower the arm 282 to bring the toothed portion of the plate 288 into contact with the upper surface of the tape simultaneously with the movement of the applicator 48 into engagement with the underside of the tape. The plate 288 has an upstanding lip 286 at its rear end and between this and a pin 288 on the arm 282 there is placed a tension spring 388 which normally urges the plate rearwardly so that the teeth are retracted and lie in an out-of-the-way position. Mounted freely on the drive shaft 66 is a lever 382 which is slotted so that it straddles the spring 388, the free end of the lever resting on the arm 282 in a position to engage the lip 286 as the arm 282 is lifted to an out-of-the-way position and to push the plate 288 forwardly to an operative position in readiness for the succeeding movement of the arm 282 into operative position. A latch 384 is pivotally fastened to the top of the plate 288. In the plate there is a slot 386 through which one arm 385 of the latch 384 passes and rides on the surface of the arm 282 beneath the plate. The arm 305 is yieldably held in engagement with the surface of the arm 282 by a spring 381 (Fig. 2). A notch 388 is formed in the end of the arm 385 and as the plate is pushedforwardly the notch drops into engagement with a ledge 3l8 formed on the arm 282 and locks the plate in its forward position. The latch 384 has another arm 3 I 2 which extends forwardly above the tape in a position to be engaged by the tape transferring means 26l as it moves into a. position to receive the tape, thus providing means to trip the latch, whereupon the plate 288 is withdrawn to an out-of-the-way position. The arm 282 is lifted to an out-of-the-way position by the cam I84 and at the same time the plate 288 is reset for the next operation.

The tape severing means 281 and tape transferring means 261 are operated by the same mechanism and are so related that the tape is severed simultaneously with the movement of the tape transferring means into a position to receive the tape which rests upon the bar 288 above the adhesive receptacle 34.

The tape severing means 281 (Fig. 3) comprises a pair of.shearing members arranged in scissor-like fashion'to cut the advanced length of tape from the succeeding length. While the severing means may be simply a pair of co-operating straight shear blades which cut the tape squarely across, preferably and as illustrated, the shearing means is formed to cut curved ends on the trailing and leading ends of the severed piece of tape and the next succeeding piece of tape, respectively. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the severing means comprises a fixed member 3I4 consisting of a pair of spaced parallel blades 3"; clamped at one end between blocks 3l8 with their cutting edges in a substantially horizontal plane. The blocks 3l8 with the blades 3l6 are fastened by bolts 3l8 (Fig. 1) to the post I2.

' The blades extend rearwardly from the blocks and have oppositely diverging curved ends 328. Co-operating with the blades M6 is a corresponding pair of spaced parallel blades 322 having diverging curved ends adapted to move downwardly between the blades 3l6 and to sever from the tape a section 3, as shown in Fig. 3. The blades 322 are fastened to an arm 324 (Figs. 6 and 10) for pivotal movement about the axis of a shaft 326. The shaft 326 is journaled in bearings near the upper ends of the posts l8 and i2 in a horizontal position and is oscillated by a gear 321 (Fig. '7) fixed to one end of it and meshing with the large gear 88. It is to be observed that the inside edge of the lower cutting blade 328, at the right-hand side of Fig. 3, represents the trailing edge of the severed piece of tape. Accordingly, the gage 38 on the work support is adjusted longitudinally so that it will be substantially in alinement with the inside edge of the right-hand blade 328. Hence, when the Work is butted against the gage 38, the severed trailing end of the tape will coincide with the end of the work.

The tape transferring means 26| (Figs. 10 and 11) comprises a horizontal presser bar 328 mounted freely on a spindle 338 which is fixed between the arm 324 and a parallel arm 332, the arms 324 and 332 being formed integral with and extending radially from a sleeve 334. The sleeve 334 is fixed by screws 335 to the shaft 326 and receives oscillatory movement therefrom. On the bar 328 is a channel-shaped member 336 having parallel spaced walls extending down along the opposite sides of the bar. Hence, the member 336 may slide up and down on the bar 328. One of the walls 338 extends down at the rear side of the bar 328 to a point below its bottom surface. Along the lower edge of the wall 338 are formed teeth 348. The other wall 338 extends part way down the front side of the bar 328, where it terminates. The member 336 is positioned on the bar 328 by a pair of screws 342 threaded into the top of the bar through holes in the channel-shaped member and between the heads of the screws and the member are placed compression springs 344. A pair of spaced bearings 346 are formed on the channelshaped member 338 near the front side at the top and through these is passed a spindle 348 upon which there is hung a plate 358. The plate 358 extends downwardly and terminates below the bar 328 a distance corresponding to the lower edge of the wall 338 and has teeth 352. Projecting upwardly from the plate 358 and bent transversely of the bar is a finger 354 having a hole 356 therein which fits over a pin 358 rising from the channel-shaped member 336. On the pin 358 between the flnger and the top of the channelshaped member 336 is a compression spring 368 which serves constantly to urge the plate 358 toward the wall 338. The transfer means is carried in an arcuate path from a position above the tape which rests upon the bar 286 to a position above the work support partly by the oscillatory shaft 326 and partly by an arm 36I which is fastened to the bar 328 at 362 (Fig. the adjacent portion of the channel-shaped member 336 being cut away to avoid interference with the arm 36I. The arm 36I extends rearwardly of the machine and, as seen in Fig. 6, is pivotally fastened to a radial arm 364 fixed to the oscillating shaft I88 by a screwand-slot connection 366. It will be observed that the oscillations of the shaft I88 and the shaft 326 are synchronous because the gears 98 and 321 (Fig. 7) both mesh with the gear 88 and will swing the transfer means from the position shown in Fig. 10 upwardly over the axis of the shaft 326, as seen in Fig. 6, and downwardly into contact with the work. The reason for moving the tra sfer means by oscillation of both the shaft I88 and the shaft 326 is to avoid stalling the machine at dead center when the transfer means is in a horizontal terminal position, which would be apt to occur if only one of the shafts were driven. The transfer means picks up the tape at the position shown in Fig. 10 by engagement of the teeth 348 and 352 with the edges of the tape. The yieldabillty of the plate 358 takes care of variations in the width of the tape. The tape is not very stiff and consequently when the transfer means is moved downwardly to engage its edges the plate 358 must be tilted away from the wall 338 to admit the tape between the teeth 348 and 352 without buckling it. Accordingly, a downwardly and rearwardly projecting lug 368 is fastened to the plate 358 near one end (Fig. 10) As the transfer means descends, the lug 368 engages a cam dog 318 pivotally mounted on a bar 312 fixed to and adjustable forwardly and rearwardly of the arm I6, The cam dog is yieldably held in an upright position against an abutment (not shown) which prevents clockwise rotation, by a spring 314. As the lug 368 descends it is deflected forwardly by the cam dog, thereby swinging the plate 358 outwardly so that the teeth 352 at the lower edge of the plate 358 clear the edge of the tape. As the transfer means completes its downward movement, the lug slips past the cam dog and the plate springs inwardly under the action of the spring 368 so that the teeth 352 bear against the edge of the tape. During the upward movement of the transfer means the lug 368 slides past the rear side of the cam dog 318, which moves aside in a counter-clockwise direction as the spring yields, hence permitting the lug to pass. Having picked up the tape, the transfer means carriers it over to the work support and deposits it on the work. The lower edges, that is, the teeth 348 and 352, of the wall 338 and the plate 358, engage the work first. but upon continued downward movement of the presser bar 328 the tape is pushed from between them into intimate engagement with the work andt e 1116111- bers 338 and 358 yield on the screws 342. To avoid danger to the operating parts by undue pressure, the bottom side of the presser bar 328 has attached to it a rubber strip 316. It is to be observed" that a groove 318 is formed lengthwise of the rubber strip. This groove is in alinement with the upper edge of the applicator 38, and if the applicator should be lifted to its applying position when no tape had been advanced, or if the piece of tape is short, the applicator will merely enter the groove a short distance and consequently will not apply adhesive to the work contacting surface of the rubber strip. This eliminates any chance for adhesive to be applied to the rubber strip which ultimately would result in the application of adhesive to the display side of the tape.

Prior to operating the machine, the adhesive receptacle 34 and the drum I42 are heated by the resistance elements H8 and I66. A thermostat (not shown) automatically cuts off the current when the proper temperature is attained. When the adhesive is sufficiently liquid to be applied to the tape, the operative places the piece of work on the work support 24 with its rear edge against the gages 28 (Fig. 10) and with one end against the gage 38, the latter being alined with the tape severing means, and then shifts the knee engaging members 281 to the right or left to bring the gage 32 into engagement with the other end of the work. The clutch 16 is then tripped by the rod 11, whereupon the machine goes through one cycle of operations, in which the tape transferring means 26I moves from the vertical position shown in Fig. 6 to a position above the adhesive applicator, reverses its direction of movement and moves to a position above the work support, again reverses its direction of movement and returns to its initial position, thus completing the cycle. During its initial movement toward the applicator, above which lies a length of uncoated tape previously advanced, the transfer means actuates the tape severing means 281 to cut off the tape. Simultaneously, the applicator 38 is moved into engagement with the underside of the tape. At the point of application, the transferring means grips the tape and carries it in its reverse movement into contact with the work piece on the work support 24 where it is pressed into intimate engagement with the work piece by the pressure applying means. During the movement of the transfer means toward the work support the feed rolls I18 and I12 advance a fresh length of tape in readiness for the next succeeding operation. If continuous operation is desirable, the operative merely holds the clutch treadle down. The length of tape advanced by the feeding means is controlled by the position of the gage 32 so that by moving the gage to a given point on the work a length of tape will be advanced which will correspond to the distance between the gage 38 and the gage 32.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for applying tape to shoe parts, a work support, means for intermittently advancing an uncoated length of tape, means intermittently operable in timed relation with the feeding means for applying adhesive to the work engaging face of said advanced length of tape, tape severing means, and means for engaging each severed piece of tape and for pressing it against a work piece on said support.

2. In a machine for applying tape to shoe parts, a work support, tape feeding means for advancing a length of uncoated tape from a source of supply, means for applying liquid adhesive to the work engaging face of each advanced length of tape, tape severing means for cutting through the uncoated tape contiguous to the coated length after-.the adhesive has been applied, and tape gripping means constructed and arranged to move each severed coated length of tape into engagement with a work piece on said support.

3. In a machine for applying tape to shoe parts, a work support, tape feeding means for advancing a length of uncoated tape, means for applying adhesive to the work engaging face of each advanced length of tape, tape severing means-between the feeding means and the applying means adapted to cut through an uncoated portion of tape contiguous to the coated portion after the adhesive has been applied, and a member movable into engagement with each severed piece of coated tape, said member being further movable to press the severed piece of tape against a work piece on said support.

4. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, an adhesive receptacle, an applicator in said receptacle movable from a submerged position to an operative position above the receptacle, feeding means for advancing a length of tape from a continuous source into a position to be contacted by the applicator as it is thus moved, a support for a piece of work, means for severing the fed-in coated length of tape, means operable in timed relation to said feeding means for raising the applicator to operative position after the feeding means has thus advanced the length of tape and before the operation of the severing means, and means for moving the severed coated length of tape, adhesive side down, into engagement with a work piece on said support.

5. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, reciprocable adhesive applying means, a pair of co-operating feed rolls for advancing a length of uncoated tape into position to receive an application of adhesive from said adhesive applying means, a support for the work, tape severing means located between the feeding means and the applying means for cutting through the uncoated tape from a supply of tape to sever the coated length therefrom, means for operating said adhesive applying. means and said feed rolls in timed relation to cause the applying means to apply the adhesive after the rolls have advanced the length of tape into said position and before the operation of the severing means, and a movable tape transfer means arranged to pick up the severed coated tape at said adhesive applying position and to move it, adhesive side down, into engagement with a work piece on said support.

6. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, adhesive applying means, feeding means for advancing a length of tape from a continuous source into position'to receive an application of adhesive from said adhesive applying means, a support for the work, tape severing means for cutting off from the supply of tape the coated length, and a reciprocable tape transferring means arranged to pick up the severed tape at said adhesive receiving position and to move it, adhesive side down, into engagement with a work piece on said support, said tape transfer means being arranged to actuate the tape .severing means prior to the transferring operation.

7. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, tape feeding means for advancing a length of uncoated tape from a continuous source into position to receive an application of adhesive,

adhesive applying means intermittently operable to apply adhesive to the advanced length of tape, a work support, tape severing means between said feeding means and applying means for cutting off from said supply of uncoated tape the coated length, reciprocable tape transferring mer ns for moving the severed coated length of tape, adhesive side down, into engagement with a work piece on said support, and pressure applyin means associated with the tape transferring means for pressing the tape into intimate contact with the work piece.

8. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, adhesive applying means, means for advancing a length of tape from a continuous source into position to receive an application of adhesive, a support for the work, tape severing means for cutting off the coated length of tape from said source of tape, tape transfer means operable to pick up the severed tape at the adhesive applying position and to deposit it on the work, and pressure applying means for causing the tape to be pressed into intimate engagement with the work, said severing means and pressing means being actuated by said tape transfer means.

9. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, means adapted to advance a length of tape from a continuous source of supply, means for severing said length of tape and for applying it to the work on the support, a gage associated with said support with which a selected point on the work may be alined, another gage associated with said support movable toward or away from the first gage, and 'means controlled by the movement of the movable gage to cause the feeding means to advance a length of tape for application to the work commensurate with the distance between the gages.

. 10. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, means for advancing a length of tape from a continuous source of supply and for severing said length of tape and applying it to the work on the support, a pair of gages associated with said support to facilitate positioning the work on said support, one of said gages being movable toward or away from the other, and means controlled by the movement of the movable gage to cause said feeding means to advance a length of tape corresponding to the distance between said gages.

11. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, means for advancing a length of tape from the source of tape and for applying it to the work on the support, means associated with the feeding means for controlling the length of tape advanced thereby, a gage associated with said support and with which a selected point on the work may be alined, another age associated with the support movable toward or away from the first gage, and means operable by movement of the movable gage with respect to the support to adjust said control means to cause said feeding means to advance a length of tape commensurate with the distance between the gages for application to the work.

12. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, means for advancing a length of tape from the source of tape and for severing and for applying it to the work on the support, a gage associated with the work support and alined with the tape severing means with which a point on the work may be alined, another gage associated with the support movable toward or away from the first gage, and means controlled by movement of the movable gage to cause the feeding means to advance a length 01' tape which, when severed from the tape supply is commensurate with the distance between the gages.

13. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a pair of rotatable teed rolls relatively movable toward and from each other to grip, feed and release the tape in each movement rotation of said rolls, a work support, a gage associated with the support and with which one end of the work may be alined, another gage associated with the support and movable toward or away from the first gage, and means controlled by said movable gage for. determining the times in the rotation of the feed rolls when they are moved toward and from each other to grip and to release the tape to cause a piece of tape to be fed by said rolls the length 01 which is determined by the position of said movable gage relatively to said first-named gage.

14. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, tape feeding means comprising a pair of rotatable feed rolls, means for effecting relative movements of said rolls toward and from each other to grip, feed and to release the tape in each movement of rotation of the rolls, a support for a work piece, and gaging means adjustable into difierent positions in accordance with variations in size'of different work pieces on said support, said gaging means being arranged to control said last-named means to vary the times in the rotation of the feed rolls when they are moved toward and from each other to grip and release the tape and thus to vary the length or tape fed in accordance with variations in length of the work pieces.

15. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a pair of rotatable feed rolls relatively movable toward and from each other to grip, feed and release the tape, a work support, a gage associated with the support an with which one end of the work may be alined, a slot in the work support, another gage associated with the work support movable toward oraway from the first gage along said slot, means for supporting said second gage with its upper end projecting through said slot, means for moving said gage supporting means to cause said second gage to move along said slot, and means connected to said gage support and operable'by the means for moving the gage support for determining the time in the rotation of the feed rolls when they are moved toward and from each other to grip and to release the tape to cause a piece of tape to be fed by said rolls the length of which is determined by the position of said movable gage relatively to said first-named gage.

16. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a source oi! tape supply, a pair of rotatable feed rolls relatively movable toward and from each other to grip, feed and release the tape, a pair of shafts for supporting said rolls, a cam on one shaft, a follower on the other shaft co-operable with and adjustable longitudinally of the cam, said cam having a variable cam surface adapted during part of its rotation to hold the rolls separated and during the remainder of its rotation to allow th rolls to co-operate and to vary the length of separation or co-operation by the relative position of the follower longitudinally thereof, a work support, a gage on the ipport with which one end of the work may be alined, another gage on the support movable toward or away from the first gage. means for moving the movable gage, and means operable by the lastnamed means to move the follower longitudinally of the variable cam surface thereby to change the length of tape advanced.

17. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, means for advancing a predetermined length of tape from a continuous source of supply, and manually operable means fOr advancing an additional length of tape or for retracting a portion of the tape previously advanced.

18. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, means for advancing a predetermined length of tape from a continuous source of supply, means for rendering the tape advancing means inoperative when said predetermined length has been advanced, and manually operable means for advancing an additional length of tape or for retracting a portion of the predetermined length previously advanced.

19. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a. work support, means for advancing a length of tape from a continuous source of supply and for applying it to the work on the support, a gage associated with said support and with which a selected point on the work may be alined, another gage associated with the support and movable toward or away from the first gage to measure the lengths of work pieces of different sizes, means controlled by the movable gage to cause the first-named means to advance a length of tape for application to the work commensurate with the distance between the gages, and other means operable by the movement of the movable gage to change the length of the tape independently of the tape advancing means an amount corresponding to the length of movement of the movable gage in measuring work pieces of dlil'erent sizes.

20. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, means for advancing a length of tape from a continuous source of supply and for applying it to a work piece on the work support, means for controlling the firstnamed means to cause successive pieces 01' tape of a predetermined length to be advanced for application to a work piece or a given size, and means operable independently of the tape advancing means to change the length of a piece of tape already advanced to cause it to fit a work piece of different size.

21. In a machine for applying tape to'a shoe part, a work support, means for advancing a length of tape from a continuous source of supply and for applying it to a work piece on the work support, a gage associated with the support and with which a selective point on the work may be alined, another gage associated with the support and movable toward and away from the first gage, means controlled by the movable gage to cause said first-named means to advance successive pieces of tape for application to a work piece commensurate with the distance between the gages, and other means operable by the movement of the movable gage to change the length of the piece of tape already advanced in accordance with a change in the position of the movable gage tor a work piece of different size.

22. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, means for advancing a length of tape from a continuous source of supply and for applying it to a work piece upon the work support, means for controlling the firstnamed means to advance a predetermined length of tape. a gage associated with the support and with which a selecte point on the work may be alined, another gage associated with the support and movable toward or away from the first gage, means for eflecting movement of the movable 88-88, and means operable by the last-named means to actuate said control means thereby to cause the feeding means to advance successive lengths of tape commensurate with the distance between the gages and to change the length of a piece of tape already advancedin accordance with any variation in the position of the movable 8886.

23. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, means for advancing a predetermined length of tape from a continuous source of supply, and a tape guide for directing the tape to said tape advancing means, said tape guide being operable independently of the tape advancing means to advance an additional length of tape or to retract a portion of the tape previously advanced.

24. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, feeding means for advancing successive predetermined lengths of tape from a continuous source of supply, means associated with the feeding means which may be adjusted to cause the feeding means to advance a shorter or longer length of tape, and means for effecting such adiustment, said last-named means being operable simultaneously to withdraw or advance the tape independently of the tape feeding means so that the previously advanced piece of tape may be made to correspond in length to the length of the piece of tape about to be advanced.

25. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, means for applying a predetermined length of coated tape to a work piece on the work support and other means operating in timed relation therewith to advance a fresh piece of tape of the same length so that it is in a position in readiness for the next operation, means for adjustably controlling the tape advancing means in accordance with the size of the work piece, and means for changing the length of tape already advanced independently of the tape feeding means to correspond. to the length of tape to be advanced by the tape feeding means after said control means has been adjusted.

26. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, feeding means for advancing a predetermined length of tape from a continuous source of supply for application to a work piece of given size, and a tape guide for directing the tape to said tape feeding means, said tape guide being constructed frictionally to engage the tape and being operable independently of the tape feeding means to advance an additional length of tape or to retract a portion of the tape previously advanced thereby to adJust the length of the advanced tape for a work piece of different size, the

' frictional engagement of said guide being sum ciently light to permit the tape to be pulled through said guide by said tape feeding means.

2'7. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, feeding means for advancing a predetermined length of tape from a continuous source of supply for application to a work piece of given size, a work support, a gage associated with said support with which one end of the work may be alined, a slot in the work support, another gage associated with the work support movable toward and away from the first gage, means for supporting the second gage with its upper end projecting through the slot, means for moving the gage support to cause said second gage to move along said slot, means connected to said gage support and operable by movement thereof to control the length of tape advanced by said tape feeding means in accordance with the distance between the gages, and other means connected to said gage support and operable by movement thereof to advance or retract the tape independently of the tape feeding means an amount corresponding to the length of movement of the second gage for a change in the size of the work piece.

28. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, feeding means for advancing a predetermined length of tape from a continuous source of supply for application to a work piece of given size, and a tape guide for directing the tape to said tape feeding means, said tape guide comprising a pair of parallel members adapted to engage the opposite edges of a substantial length of tape adjacent to the tape feeding means, one

of said members being yieldably urged toward the other, said guide being operable independently of the tape feeding means to advance an additional length of tape or to retract a portion of the tape previously advanced to change the length of the tape in accordance with a change in the size of the Work piece.

29. In a machine for app ying tape to a shoe part, an adhesive receptacle, means for advancing above the top of the receptacle a length of tape of sufficient length for the part to which it is to be applied. means for supporting the length of tape in said position, reciprocable means for lifting a quantity of adhesive from said receptacle and applying it to the tape, and means for operating said reciprocable means comprising a member oscillatory about a center of rotation, and yieldable means connecting said oscillatory member, at a point removed from its center of rotation, to said adhesive lifting and applying means whereupon if reciprocation of said adhesive applying means is accidentally prevented said oscillatory means will be free to oscillate without damage.

30. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, an applicator, means for advancing a length of tape above the applicator for an application of adhesive, means for holding the tape in its position above the applicator during the application of adhesive thereto, and tape transfer means for transferring the coated tape from its adhesive receiving position to a work piece on the work support, said tape transfer means being adapted to move said tape holding means to an out-of-the-way position as it approaches said adhesive receiving position.

31. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, an applicator, means for advancing a length of tape above the applicator, means for moving the applicator into engagement with the underside of the tape, means for engaging the upper side of the tape to hold it against the pressure of the applicator, said means being niovable from an out-of-the-way position to a position substantially in the plane of the tape simultaneously with the movement 9f the applicator into engagement with the tape and being movable, when in said plane of the tape, to the rear of the tape, and reciprocal tape transfer means for transferring the coated tape from its adhesive receiving postion to the work on said work support, said tape transfer means being adapted to cause movement of thetape holding mean to the rear of the tape as the transfer means approaches said adhesive receiving position.

32. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, an applicator, means for advancing a length of tape above the applicator,

means for moving the applicator into engagement with the underside of the tape, means for engaging the upper side of the tape to hold it against the pressure of the applicator, means for moving said holding means from an out-of-theway position to a position above the tape, a latch for locking said holding means in said position, means for urging said holding means to return to its out-of-the-way position, and reciprocable means for transferring the coated tape from the adhesive receiving position to a work piece on the work support, said tape transferring means being movable into a position above the tape at said adhesive receiving position to receive the tape for transfer and being operable upon approaching said tape receiving position to trip said latch to permit said holding means to be retracted.

33. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, means for advancing a length of tape for an application of adhesive, an applicator movable into and out of operable position and adapted when in operable position to contact one surface of the tape, tape holding means movable into and out of operable position and adapted when in operable position to occupy a position above the other surface of the tape, said holding means including a plate retractable from an advanced p sition in which it contacts the tape to an out-of-the-way position, means for moving said holding means into its operative position and for simultaneously moving the applicator into its operative position, means for holding the plate advanced, means for urging the plate to its retracted position, a work support, tape transfer means for moving the tape from the position at which it receives adhesive into engagement with a work piece on the work support, said tape transfer means being operable to render the means for holding the plate advanced inoperative to permit the plate to be retracted as the tape transfer means moves into adhesive receiving position, and means operable by the movement of the holding means to inoperative position to move the plate into its advanced position for the succeeding operation.

34. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, an adhesive applicator, means for advancing a length of tape to a position above the applicator, means for supporting the tape in said position above the applicator, means for moving the applicator into engagement with the underside of the tape, an arm adapted to be moved into and out of operative position above the upper side of the tape during the application of adhesive to the underside, said arm having a toothed plate retractable from an advanced position thereon in which it contacts the tape to an out-of-the-way position, means for moving said arm into and out of operative position, a latch for holding the toothed plate in its advanced position, means for urging it to a retracted position, tape transfer means for pickin up of tape, and means for engaging the edges of the tape at said adhesive applying position and for bodily transferring it, adhesive surface down, to a work piece on said work support.

36. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, an adhesive applicator over which a length of tape is led for an application of adhesive, means for severing the coated length of tape, and means for engaging the edges of the tape at said adhesive applying position and for transferring it, adhesive surface down, to a work piece on said work support, said transferring means being adapted to p ess the tape into engagement with the work piece after it has deposited the tape on the work piece.

37. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, an adhesive applicator above which a length of tape is led for an application of adhesive, means for severing the coated length of tape, means for yieldably engaging the edges of the tape at said adhesive applying position and for transferring it, adhesive surface down, to a work piece on said work support, and means for disengaging the tape from said tape engaging means as it is deposited on said work piece and for pressing the tape into intimate contact with the work piece.

38. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a Work support, an adhesive applicator above which a length of tape is led for an application of adhesive, means for evering the coated length of tape, and transfer means reciprocable from a. position above the adhesive applicator to a position above the work support to transfer the severed tape from the applicator to a work piece on the work support, said transfer means comprisin a pair of spaced members arranged to engage the opposite edges of the tape, one of said members being yieldably urged toward the other, and means arranged to engage and thereby to tilt said yieldable one of said members from the other as the transfer means moves into its position above the tape to admit the edges of the tape and thereafter to release it to permit said yieldable member to engage the edges of the tape.

39. In a. machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, an adhesive applicator over which a length of tape is led for an application of adhesive, means for severing the coated length of tape, and transfer means reciprocable from a position above the applicator to a position above the work support to transfer tape from the applicator to a work piece on the work support, said transfer means comprising a pair of spaced members arranged to engage the opposite edges of the tape, one of said members being yieldably urged toward the other, and a cam dog arranged to engage the yieldable one of said members as the transfer means moves into position above the applicator to tilt it away from the other member and then to release it.

40. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, an adhesive applicator above which a length of tape is led for an application of adhesive, means for severing the coated length of tape, and transfer means reciprocable from a position above the applicator to a position above the work support to transfer tape from the applicator to a work piece on the work support, said transfer means comprising a, presser bar and a pair of members yieldably mounted on said bar at opposite sides thereof, said members having lower ed es which proiect below the bar and are adapted to engage the edges of the tape,

said presser bar being adapted, after the edges of said members have been brought into engagement with the work piece on the work support, to push the tape from between the members into intimate contact with the work piece.

41. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe part, a work support, an adhesive applicator over which a length of tape is led for an application of adhesive, means for severing the coated length of tape, and transfer means reclprocable from a position above the applicator to a position above the work support to transfer tape from the applicator to a work piece on the work support, said transfer means comprising a presser bar, a member yieldably mounted on said bar, said member having an edge projecting below the bar, another member pivotally mounted on the first member at the opposite side of the bar, this latter member also having an edge projecting below the bar, said edges being adapted to grip the opposite edges of the tape, means for yieldably urging the pivoted member toward the firstnamed member, and means for tilting the piv otedmembe away from the first-named memher to admit the tape between them, the tape being disengaged from said members after it has been transferred to the work piece on said work support by movement of the presser bar relative to said members into engagement with the work piece.

42. In a machine for applying tape to a shoe partpa work support, an adhesive receptacle over which the tape is advanced, an applicator mov-. able from a position in the receptacle to a position above the receptacle to apply adhesive to the tape, tape transfer means reciprocable from the position at which the tape receives adhesive to a position above the work support to transfer the coated tape to a work piece on the work support, and pressure applying means associated with the tape transferring means, said pressure applying means having a tape contacting surface adapted to press the tape into intimate contact with the work and a groove in its tape contacting surface conforming in shape to the shape of the applicator.

- JOSEPH FOSSA. 

